Trent Bridge, July 22 (Tezzbuzz). Ben Stokes praised 20-year-old off-spinner Shoaib Bashir, who led England to a series win against the West Indies at Trent Bridge on Sunday. Bashir took 5 wickets for 41 runs in 11.1 overs in the second innings, becoming England's youngest bowler to take five wickets in a home Test and also the first spinner to take five wickets in a Test innings in Nottingham since 2006.
England defeated West Indies by 241 runs in this match, after the match Stokes praised Bashir and said, he has a lot of talent and an incredible desire to get better. Tezzbuzz intention is always to take wickets. It is really great for a young player to perform in a way that helps England win the Test. He was very emotional at the end. It was a great day for him. He showed the world what he can do.
Bashir's rise from relative anonymity is well documented. He was selected for the tour of India earlier this year after England captain Stokes saw him bowling in a video of Alastair Cook on X (formerly Twitter). Despite not being a regular for Somerset, the young offspinner's 2.35m release point and his control over length were considered crucial for the challenging tour of the subcontinent.
Bashir proved his selection right by taking 17 wickets in three Tests in India, taking five wickets each in Ranchi and Dharamsala. Interestingly, Bashir was loaned to Worcestershire by Somerset at the start of this County Championship season and Jack Leach was preferred as the sole spinner. However, Stokes, Brendon McCullum and Rob Key opted to replace the incumbent spin-bowling Leach and picked Bashir for this West Indies series.
“All the decisions we make are based not only on how far we can take the talent, but also whether we feel they are good enough for international cricket,” Stokes said after Bashir's efforts at Trent Bridge after he did not bowl at Lord's. Bashir showed what he can do in conditions that suited him in India, but this week the pitches were not really too conducive to spin and he has taken seven wickets in the match. Tezzbuzz ability to vary his pace, alter his line and control how the ball reacted to the surface was top class.
Stokes also praised Mark Wood, who took only two wickets in 28 overs in the Test. However, the England captain did not say whether his fast bowler would be rested for the final match of the series.
“On another day, Woody could have got Man of the Match, the way he bowled was amazing. He hasn't got the rewards in this game but this summer someone has to pay eventually. In batting we talk a lot about partnerships, and it's the same thing with bowling. You look at the number of wickets at the other end when Woody was bowling his spell, that's the impact a bowler like Woody can have,” Stokes said.
He further added, He has the heart of a lion, his speed is amazing, but he also has the skill which enables him to hit a certain area consistently.
The third Test of the series will begin on July 26 at Edgbaston.
Tezzbuzz News / Sunil Dubey
